When was the last time you went on a solo date? Even if you’re in a committed relationship, you can benefit from taking some time apart to spoil yourself. You’re just as worthy of a date to a high-end steakhouse as the person you’re trying to court or the partner you want to pamper. If you’ve never gone on a solo date before, here’s how to make your first one to remember:
Treat Yourself Like a Romantic Partner
It’s no secret that most people will go to great lengths to spoil their partner. In all likelihood, you spare no effort when it comes to showing your partner how much they mean to you. Now apply the same principle to yourself. Before you even try to figure out where to go or what to do, you have to be willing to go all out for yourself. The same amount of effort you put into planning a night out with your partner should be invested towards creating an unforgettable date for yourself.
Make It a Priority
If you’ve ever been in a relationship, you’ll know that regular outings are needed to keep the spark alive. The same goes for the relationship you have with yourself. If you want the relationship you have with yourself to remain healthy, you’ll have to prioritise your solo dates. That doesn’t stop at just setting aside a day every month to take yourself out. It also means respecting the alone time you have by putting your phone away and not squeezing in a bit of work between meals. The general rule is that if you wouldn’t do something on a date with your partner, don’t do it on a solo date.
Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
Even if you’ve decided that your solo dates will be limited to eating out, try to keep things fresh by ordering a different meal every time you go to your favourite restaurant. Alternatively, you could resolve to try out a different bottle of wine every time you go out. Novelty is the lifeblood of all meaningful relationships, including the one you have with yourself. Making little changes to your routine injects a bit of excitement in any relationship and creates anticipation for the next date. You owe it to yourself to prevent your solo dates from turning into just another event to tick off on your calendar.
The benefits of solo dates can’t be overstated. Apart from teaching you independence, it cements the idea that you are worthy of receiving the love, attention and consideration that’s usually reserved for romantic partners. While some people might say that solo dates make you better prepared for a relationship, that’s beside the point. Solo dates are about one person – you. Keep that in mind, and you’ll have no problem planning memorable solo dates.
